Pianist
Horace Parlan is literally at home during the three sessions which make up
My Little Brown Book. Joined by bassist
Jesper Lundgaard (a frequent collaborator) and alto saxophonist Christina von Bülow, he is in great form throughout these intimate performances, consisting of originals, standards and jazz compositions by other greats. His jubilant "Little Esther" and saucy blues "Party Time" feature
Lundgaard's walking bass with von Bülow taking center stage with her mellow solos while
Parlan playfully detours into a
Monk-like dissonance on the latter piece. The leader sounds very relaxed playing old favorites like the bittersweet standard "Everything Happens to Me" and
Billy Strayhorn's lush "Lotus Blossom." His loping treatment of "Fran Dance" revives a gem from the '50s that has only been sporadically played since it was recorded by
Miles Davis. Highly recommended! ~ Ken Dryden